Hartley thrives in new role off UConn bench

Rich Elliott

Updated 12:54 pm, Thursday, April 4, 2013

UConn's Bria Hartley drives to the basket during the Huskies' matchup with Kentucky in the elite eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, April 1, 2013.

UConn's Bria Hartley shoots a jumper over Kentucky's Janee Thompson during their 83-53 victory in the elite eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, April 1, 2013.

From left; UConn players Tiffany Hayes, Stefanie Dolson, Bria Hartley, and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis cheer on their teammates in the final minutes of their victory over Kansas State in the second round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport on Monday, March 19, 2012. At right is coach Geno Auriemma.

The move, which was made prior to UConn facing Vanderbilt in the second round of the NCAA tournament March 25, could have been a master stroke. It also could have been detrimental to the team's national championship run.

Hartley, an All-America selection as a sophomore, started 100 of the first 108 games in her career. But rather than reject the sudden change in role, Hartley, who has been inconsistent this season, has embraced it and has had a significant impact as the Huskies have reached the Final Four for an NCAA-record sixth straight season.

"Every decision you make, you make it with your fingers crossed and you hope that it works," Auriemma said. "This particular decision, it was, `Hey Bria, we need some energy coming off the bench. We need some scoring. We need to change the way the game is played.' You don't know whether Bria is going to pout a little bit and feel sorry for herself and not be sure. But she's come out and done exactly what we want her to do."

Hartley produced 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and shared game-high honors with four steals in Monday's 83-53 win over Kentucky in the Bridgeport Regional final at Webster Bank Arena. In the first half, when UConn buried the Wildcats, she had six points, two assists, one steal and zero turnovers in 16 minutes as the Huskies built a 48-26 lead.

Whether she started or came off the bench against Kentucky, holding the regional championship trophy in the locker room following the game was just as sweet for Hartley.

"I've got to find different things to do out there to make plays,'' Hartley said. "And I think as one of the leaders of this team and going in the game, I have to lead by example and make sure I come in there and make contributions and provide a spark for my team."

Hartley is averaging 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, a team-high 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 27.8 minutes in the NCAA tournament. She has averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 26.3 minutes over the last three games as a reserve.

"It just shows how much she's grown up,'' Doty said. "She's an unbelievable player and now that she's able to take that role of coming off the bench and being that spark, she's been that spark consistently. And that's huge because she's a great player."

Auriemma has long liked bringing a game-changer off the bench. He has that with Hartley. And with the Huskies facing Notre Dame Sunday in the national semifinals at New Orleans Arena (8:30 p.m., ESPN), this is a spot where Hartley has had success.

She is averaging 14.0 points and 3.0 assists in two games against the Irish in the national semifinals.

"With Bria coming off the bench, we're a very tough team," Doty said. "And that was a very unselfish move by her. She actually volunteered to come off the bench, which is really tough to do, and she has been handling that role unbelievably.''